Loose-leaf binder.



PATENTED JULY 14, 1908.

W. F. HEPPNBR. LOOSE LEAP BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 19, 1907.

INVENTOR Alfomey UNITED sT'ATns PATENT IFFIQE LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. HEFFNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Benton Harbor, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in loose leaf binders and ithas for its object the provision of a simple, inexpensive and positive means for locking loose leaves to the back of a book in. such a manner as to permit leaves to be withdrawn and replaced readily, and the invention relates further to means for locking the leaves in place and securely retaining the same against accidental displacement.

To these ends and to such others as the invention may pertain, the same consists in the novel construction, peculiar arrangement, combination and adaptation of parts, all as will be hereinafter fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and then specifically defined in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the back of a loose leaf binder constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a like view of the locking rod. Fig. 8 is a transverse section through the back, showing a locking ring in full lines, and Fig. 4 is a modified form of ring.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the back of the binder which may be constructed of either wood or metal and is provided with an outer shell or covering B. Interposed between the back A and outer shell or covering 13 are provided a series of metallic keepers C having apertures C for the reception of the page holding rings D. These openings C extend entirely around the curved rear portion of the back so that the rings when in place can be turned freely within the re- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 19, 1907.

Patented July 14, 1908 Serial No. 398,240.

cesses. The rings C, it will be noted, are i broken at one side and the ends are slightly beveled to permit them to be passed readily through openings in the loose sheets to be bound. The back Ais provided with a longitudinal opening K to receive a locking bar E, said bar being provided. at intervals of its length with cutaway portions or recesses F,

away portions of the locking bar corresponding with the distances between the rings, so that, when the rod is inserted within the opening K, therecesses F will register with held. The locking bar E at its outer end is bent at right angles to form the handle E which serves to permit the bar E to be rotated in locking or unlocking the leaf retaining rings D, as will be readily understood. In Fig. 4 of the drawings, I have shown a modified form of ring designated by letter C the ring being flat instead of round in cross section.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the device will be readily understood. lVhen it is desired to insert loose leaves within the binder, a locking bar E is given a partial rotation by means of the handle E and, it will be noted that, when the rod is turned so as to cause the transverse recesses upon the bar to register with the curved openings within which the rings D are located, the rings can be freely turned so as to bring the open portions of the ring in a position to receive the sheets to be bound. l/Vhen the sheets have been placed in posi tion, the rings are given a partial rotation so as to bring the open portion of the rings within the space between the back and the outer casing where they are locked against further movement by giving the locking bar a partial rotary movement, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a covering for one surface thereof, metallic keepers fixed to said covering and provided with loops, broken rings adapted to pass through the loops of said keepers, aretainer rod interposed between the back and the covering therefor, said rod designed to pass through the rings and retain the same in place, as set forth.

the distances between the recesses or cutthe openings C within which the rings are 2. In a loose leaf binder, a back having an outer casing, a series of rings loosely sleeved within recesses interposed between the back and casing, a locking rod extended longitudinally through the-back, said rod being pro- 5 vided with transverse recesses or notches spaced apart to correspond with the distances between the rings, and provided at its end with a handle whereby the rod may be rotated to throw the notches thereon into or 10 out of engagement with the open portions of the rings and serve to lock or release the same from rotation, substantially as shown and described and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. 15

WILLIAM F. HEFFNER. 

